By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
Jessica Oji has etched her name in Nigerian athletics history after winning the women’s shot put gold medal at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Oregon, becoming the first Nigerian athlete to claim a world title in a field event at any level.
The teenage star delivered a championship-winning throw of 18.08 metres, capping a remarkable run of form that has established her as one of the sport’s brightest young talents.
Oji took control of the competition from the outset with an opening throw of 18.05m before extending her lead to 18.08m on her second attempt. With the title already within her grasp, she rounded off an impressive performance with a final throw of 18.07m, just one centimetre shy of her winning mark.
Ecuador’s Belsy Jennifer Quinonez claimed the silver medal with a best throw of 17.90m, while Germany’s Emily Scherf secured bronze.
The victory marks a watershed moment for Nigerian athletics, as Oji becomes the country’s first-ever world champion in a field event, expanding Nigeria’s legacy beyond its traditional strengths in sprinting and jumping events.
Her latest feat follows an outstanding performance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, where she won silver in the women’s shot put against senior competitors before heading to Oregon for the World U20 Championships.
Oji had earlier topped the qualification round with a throw of 17.56m, underlining her title credentials ahead of the final.
The historic gold medal provides another major boost for Team Nigeria at the World Athletics U20 Championships and reinforces the country’s growing reputation in field events.
The National Sports Commission, in a statement signed by the Special Assistant on Media to the Director General, Kola Daniel, described Oji’s achievement as a historic milestone for Nigerian athletics and a testament to the country’s emerging generation of world-class talents.
